Mustapha reaffirms government’s seriousness on mandatory vaccination of civil servants

• SGF, Mohammed laud Nigeria’s unity at pre-independence event

Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has reiterated the seriousness of the Federal Government’s call for mandatory COVID-19 vaccination of civil servants.

Speaking yesterday at the unveiling of ‘Nigeria at 60 Photo Exhibition’ with the theme, “60 Years of Our Togetherness, in Abuja, the SGF, who was guest of honour, stated: “So, my sincere advice to Nigerians, who are yet to get vaccinated, to do so urgently, because very soon, we will make it mandatory in all government establishments and functions that civil servants are vaccinated.”

On the coming Diamond Jubilee festivities, Mustapha said it was gratifying to see a united Nigeria despite its diversity in cultures, languages and religions.

He said: “As a country, we have witnessed several changes in the system of governance from parliamentary to the current presidential system. We are already enjoying over 20 years of civil rule in the Fourth Republic – the longest ever in the history of the country.”

Earlier in his opening remarks, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, acknowledged that several factors, including the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, inter-tribal marriages, sports and arts, have contributed immensely to the nation’s unity.

He urged the invited youths to take a cursory look at the images of the founding fathers and replicate their contributions to Nigeria’s overall well-being.

Mohammed observed: “This exhibition is open to the public from today, Monday, September 20 to Thursday, September 30, 2021.”

In his presentation, Chairman of the Ownership Committee and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, noted: “Our mandate includes to encourage the private participation and citizens buy-in into the anniversary and ensure they enjoy private sector products, local content materials and design programmes to be sponsored by them, even as we co-opt them for full participation.”

To the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, the occasion afforded Nigerians, especially the youths a good opportunity to x-ray the sacrifices of the nation’s founding fathers to the development of the country.

She pointed out: “Permit me to inform this gathering that as an institution as old as our country, the civil service is also currently learning from our antecedents so as not to repeat the mistakes of our past. One thing we have recognised is that to survive and strive, particularly at this time, government institutions must continue innovating and collaborating to accomplish strategic objectives.”